verdict due in spanish royals fraud trial
Last Updated : GMT 06:49:16
Arab Today, arab today
Arab Today, arab today
Last Updated : GMT 06:49:16
Arab Today, arab today

Verdict due in Spanish royals' fraud trial

Arab Today, arab today

Arab Today, arab today Verdict due in Spanish royals' fraud trial

Madrid - AFP

Princess Cristina of Spain could face jail when she learns the verdict Friday in her trial over claims she helped her husband evade taxes.

The 51-year-old sister of King Felipe VI is the first Spanish royal to face criminal charges since the monarchy’s 1975 restoration, in a case that has sullied the reputation of the royal household and become a symbol of perceived corruption among Spain’s elites.

The scandal broke in 2011, just as the country was going through a deep economic crisis.

A court in Palma, on the Mediterranean island of Majorca, is due to rule at noon (11:00 GMT) on whether Cristina and her husband Inaki Urdangarin are guilty. The couple will not be in court for the verdict, which can be appealed.

If convicted, Cristina faces up to eight years in prison for complicity in tax fraud over her 49-year-old husband’s work with a non-profit foundation.

 

Urdangarin, a former Olympic handball medallist who was charged with the more serious crimes of embezzlement, influence peddling, forgery and money laundering, could face more than 19 years in prison and a 980,000 euros ($1 million) fine over claims he siphoned millions from public funds.

The couple, who have been married since 1997 and have four children together, went on trial last year along with 15 others, including former government minister Jaume Matas.

Urdangarin has grown visibly thinner over five months of hearings that have garnered huge media interest, while the princess has largely stayed mute in court.

– Family drama –

The case centres on accusations that Urdangarin used his royal connections to win inflated public contracts to stage sporting and other events, and then siphoned off the proceeds to fund a lavish lifestyle.

He and his former business partner Diego Torres are accused of embezzling about six million euros ($6.4 million) in public money that was paid to the Noos Institute to organise events.

In one example, the company charged authorities 1.2 million euros for a two-day tourism and sports event — “a completely disproportionate price” based on a “fictitious budget”, according to prosecutors.

Some of the money was allegedly moved to a firm jointly owned by Urdangarin and Cristina, the youngest daughter of former king Juan Carlos I. 

Aizoon has been labelled a “front company” in court documents.

Authorities conflicted over whether Cristina should be tried, with an investigating judge insisting she should but the treasury and public prosecutor’s office concluding she had not committed any offence. 

She was finally tried after a rightwing pressure group, “Manos Limpias” or “Clean Hands”, brought a tax evasion case against the princess, as Spanish law permits private groups to initiate criminal proceedings.

But Manos Limpias’ own image was tarnished in the trial when its leader was detained for alleged extortion and other charges, accused of asking Cristina’s lawyers for money in exchange for dropping its accusations of tax evasion complicity against her.

The scandal exacerbated falling support for Juan Carlos I, who abdicated in June 2014 and handed the crown to his son Felipe.

The current king has publicly distanced himself from his sister, who has been barred from carrying out public functions.

source: AFP

arabstoday
arabstoday

Name *

E-mail *

Comment Title*

Comment *

: Characters Left

Mandatory *

Terms of use

Publishing Terms: Not to offend the author, or to persons or sanctities or attacking religions or divine self. And stay away from sectarian and racial incitement and insults.

I agree with the Terms of Use

Security Code*

verdict due in spanish royals fraud trial verdict due in spanish royals fraud trial

 



Name *

E-mail *

Comment Title*

Comment *

: Characters Left

Mandatory *

Terms of use

Publishing Terms: Not to offend the author, or to persons or sanctities or attacking religions or divine self. And stay away from sectarian and racial incitement and insults.

I agree with the Terms of Use

Security Code*

verdict due in spanish royals fraud trial verdict due in spanish royals fraud trial

 



GMT 23:04 2017 Monday ,04 December

Saudi Arabia recalls ambassador to Germany

GMT 02:47 2014 Monday ,17 November

Qatar Library to take part in Conference

GMT 18:17 2018 Friday ,07 September

US Defence Secretary arrives in Kabul

GMT 03:28 2018 Sunday ,21 January

Emirates throws Airbus A380 a lifeline

GMT 15:20 2017 Wednesday ,20 December

Oman Arab Bank launches advanced automation system

GMT 04:56 2017 Thursday ,22 June

ASEAN journalists conclude silk road media journey

GMT 08:08 2015 Thursday ,05 November

UAE media has matured, delivered remarkable successes

GMT 22:37 2016 Thursday ,17 November

Japan aims to increase food exports to GCC

GMT 08:40 2013 Saturday ,02 February

Saladin

GMT 00:12 2016 Sunday ,01 May

December 21 - January 18

GMT 05:35 2017 Wednesday ,25 October

Rio policeman who killed Spanish tourist charged

GMT 01:15 2014 Friday ,24 January

Little Known Facts

GMT 09:03 2013 Tuesday ,09 July

Fathy Abdel Wahab works on social issues drama

GMT 19:13 2017 Sunday ,16 April

Iraqi MP calls government to cut oil from Jordan

GMT 21:38 2017 Wednesday ,12 July

Israeli occupation forces arrest 21 Palestinians

GMT 04:59 2015 Wednesday ,28 October

Saudi blogger flogging to resume

GMT 14:24 2016 Wednesday ,14 December

Wonder Woman loses UN job after protests

GMT 14:28 2017 Saturday ,13 May

Tunisia can repay 53% of its debts
Arab Today, arab today
 
 Arab Today Facebook,arab today facebook  Arab Today Twitter,arab today twitter Arab Today Rss,arab today rss  Arab Today Youtube,arab today youtube  Arab Today Youtube,arab today youtube

Maintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2021 ©

Maintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2021 ©

arabstoday arabstoday arabstoday arabstoday
arabstoday arabstoday arabstoday
arabstoday
بناية النخيل - رأس النبع _ خلف السفارة الفرنسية _بيروت - لبنان
arabstoday, Arabstoday, Arabstoday